USGBC TEXAS 2023
VIRTUAL ADVOCATE TRAINING
THURSDAY, MARCH 9, 2023
Show your support for green building and sustainable development practices in Texas by joining us to educate legislators on State Advocacy Day on March 16th!
State Advocacy Day is USGBC Texas' biennial coordinated advocacy outreach to Texas state legislators and lawmakers. Armed with an engaged coalition, our goal is to expand Texas Green Building Advocacy dialogue with legislators and with each other to gain momentum during this legislative session. USGBC Chapter members and friends are invited to join us in educating our legislators on green building and sustainable development related issues.
Join us on Thursday, March 9th for a preview of the USGBC Texas 2023 Advocacy Agenda and office visit materials. We will go over the various bills that we are tracking as well as the background we have on each of them and key information for discussion with legislators and their office teams.
Register for USGBC Texas Advocacy Day
Narrative_of_Priorties_88th.pdf
The Chapter’s focus goes beyond individual buildings to sustainability more broadly, including water conservation and protection, land use planning and conservation, multimodal transportation and urban redevelopment. At USGBC, we work with government, member businesses, and allied organizations to support policies and programs that advance greener buildings and communities for a better planet and a better future.
USGBC Texas has five broad Advocacy priorities:
Government Leadership by Example
We assert green building as a priority in Texas and make inroad relationships with legislators
- Every two years we host Texas State Advocacy Day, a chance for volunteer advocates to discuss the promotion of green building legislation
- Past activities: Green Building Resolution (HR 1617) in the 83rd Legislative Session
Private Sector Market Transformation
We strive to highlight green building as a driving force for smart development in the private sector
- Past activities: support of PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) statute during in the 83rd Legislative Session and ongoing support of the Texas PACE program
Raising the Bar on Codes and Regulations
Local adoption of green building codes is beneficial for both businesses and the environment and Texas should set the standard for the adoption of sustainable development practices
- Past activities: during the 84th Legislative Session, the statewide adoption of the IECC 2015 code was allowed with HB 1736 and took effect in 2017
Community-wide Sustainability
Promote community-wide sustainability including advocacy work and education at state and local levels, providing advocacy support for local sustainability plans
- We plan to continue our efforts with the Urban Affairs Committee and sustainable/resilient development of hurricane-ravaged areas in Texas
- Examples include our support for San Antonio’s SA Tomorrow plan and Resilient City efforts in Dallas and El Paso, along with supporting LEED for Neighborhood Development
Green Schools
Communicate the benefits of green schools to local school districts through our members and with the Green Schools Caucus to emphasize the 3 pillars of a green school:
- Reduced environmental impacts and costs
- Improved occupant health and wellness
- Effective environmental and sustainability education through Green Apple Day of Service
